266-267

Chapter 266: Busy Days

After finalizing his engagement, Milo returned to New York.

He was swamped with responsibilities—partnering with Wall Street to raid Denmark, coordinating with major financial conglomerates to drive the internet boom, organizing next year’s Internet Conference, and preparing for Yahoo's upcoming IPO.

Thus, in the final days of November, Milo found himself running around tirelessly. By the time everything was settled and he boarded a flight to Los Angeles, it was already the morning of December 3rd.

With Yahoo's IPO imminent, a series of roadshows were planned across major U.S. cities and several international metropolises.

Most of these IPO roadshows didn’t require Milo’s presence. However, for the international ones, he decided to personally attend after careful consideration.

For example, after the Los Angeles roadshow, Milo planned to fly to Tokyo to pitch to East Asian investors.

Following that, he’d head south to Hong Kong or Singapore, then to the desert region to persuade the sheikhs to invest.

Finally, he’d make a stop in Europe—either Paris or London—before returning to New York, just in time for Yahoo's official IPO.

Even for the world's richest man, raising capital meant traveling extensively and working hard to win over investors.

---

“Sorry, my dear, I’m already on a flight to Los Angeles. I won’t be able to attend your concert at Madison Square Garden,” Milo said with a smile, comforting Britney Spears, who sounded a little upset on the other end of the phone.

“Alright, don’t be mad. After this concert, take some time off for the rest of the year. You’ve been working too hard this year.”

“I am a bit tired,” Britney replied with a hint of grievance. “But, Master, you promised you'd stay in New York until the end of the year. That’s why I scheduled my last concert here…”

“Sorry, sorry, my dear. You know I have important work to do. But I’m so proud of you. I’m confident that at next year’s Grammys, your name will be among the winners for Record of the Year, Album of the Year, or Song of the Year,” Milo said with a chuckle, trying to cheer her up.

Britney softened at his words.

“Alright, alright. I’ll listen to you. Thank you, Master…” Her voice turned sweet and coy.

Britney knew that if Milo predicted she’d win one of those awards, it was almost guaranteed. The Grammy judges weren’t likely to defy Blackburn’s influence, were they? Probably not, she thought.

---

“By the way, did you like the gift I sent you?” Milo asked, changing the subject.

“Thank you, Master! I love it. But… will it really do well at the box office?” Britney asked, her voice filled with excitement but also concern.

Milo had instructed Paladin Media to produce a documentary of Britney’s concert tour for theatrical release.

While she was thrilled about the idea, Britney worried that if the movie flopped, it would be humiliating.

“Don’t worry; your fans will love it. Your presence has created a new type of idol in the entertainment industry. Girls adore you and want to be like you. Boys are infatuated with you and dream of having a girlfriend like you. Even grown men can’t resist your charm. The only ones who might dislike you are middle-aged housewives. Trust me—this film might even outgross some regular movies. Anything is possible!”

Milo understood the enormous potential of fan-driven markets.

The strategy was simple: earn revenue from the tour, then monetize it again through the documentary. Later, release a collector’s edition Blu-ray for another wave of profit.

The production cost of the documentary was minimal, essentially editing highlights from her tour performances and behind-the-scenes footage, then adding narration.

With an investment of just $100,000–200,000, as long as the box office exceeded $1 million, everything else would be profit.

“Will people really watch my documentary?” Britney asked nervously.

“Of course! You’ve pioneered a new type of idol, combining youthful innocence and allure in a way no one has before. With such a massive fanbase, it’s bound to succeed. Even if it doesn’t match Michael Jackson’s numbers, it could still gross tens of millions or even over $100 million,” Milo reassured her.

Britney wasn’t as confident. “I’m still worried the box office will be too low…”

“Then when the documentary premieres, visit a few theaters yourself. I’m sure that’ll boost ticket sales by at least a couple of million dollars!” Milo joked.

“Great idea! That’s brilliant!”

---

Suddenly, Britney gasped. “Oh my God! What’s happening?”

Her voice, filled with shock and sadness, turned frantic.

“Darling, what’s wrong? What happened?” Milo asked, alarmed.

“It’s not me—it’s California! Turn on CNN right now!” Britney exclaimed.

Hearing Britney’s slightly upset tone, Milo held his phone and stepped away from his seat. “Take it easy, don’t worry...”

While comforting the emotionally agitated Britney, Milo briskly walked into the conference room of the Sky Palace.

He picked up the remote control from its base, turned on the television wall, and found CNN.

*[Breaking News: Three gunmen stormed the site of a high school baseball game in Los Angeles, California, opening fire and taking hostages. The incident has so far resulted in 33 fatalities, 56 critical injuries, and 111 additional injuries.]*

*[The baseball game was reportedly an exhibition match organized by the NCAA to scout talented young players. During the chaos, at least 22 people were shot while attempting to flee. The assailants opened fire on several security personnel upon entering the venue, killing three outright. An immediate 911 call was made, and the police responded within two minutes.]*

*[Authorities estimate that up to 65 individuals may be held hostage. The gunmen used homemade explosives to destroy four of the venue's five exits and blocked the last one with a vehicle, sealing off potential escape routes. Meanwhile, some people managed to hide throughout the stadium: 35 are sheltering in a restroom, while 226 are scattered in various locations.]*

*[This is the most severe mass shooting since the tragic March 29th incident in Carthage, North Carolina, where 18 people, including a nurse, were killed and three injured at an upscale nursing home.]*

The live TV broadcast showed scenes of chaos: police officers, patrol cars, ambulances, and panicked crowds. News vans and helicopters from major networks had gathered near a service center building.

CNN provided comprehensive coverage from aerial and ground perspectives, with the anchor repeatedly reporting all available details.

“Shit!”

Watching the replay of victims being carried away under white sheets, Milo couldn’t help but curse with a grim expression.

Honestly, losing 33 lives in one incident...

So many injured, and so many hostages...

Even in America, where mass shootings are tragically common, this was undeniably a major case.

With over three gunmen armed with heavy weapons and homemade explosives, Milo thought this could be classified as a small-scale terrorist attack.

“Sweetheart, listen to me. Take a deep breath and calm down. Now, here’s what I need you to do: immediately call your agent, and use your ITK account to condemn the perpetrators, mourn the victims, and express your shock and sorrow. Be careful with your wording, okay? Do you understand?”

ITK was the instant messaging app Milo had commissioned Elon Musk to develop.

However, Milo envisioned it as more than just a messaging app—it was designed to incorporate functionalities similar to future platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Weibo.

Launched mid-year, it had already become the world’s most widely installed and actively used instant messaging and social networking platform.

Thanks to Paladin Media’s influence, ITK was especially popular in Hollywood and the American entertainment industry.

Whenever something happened, needed to be announced, or if a celebrity had a glamorous street photo to share with fans, they now chose to upload it on ITK.

You could say that Milo single-handedly created a platform akin to Twitter and Instagram a decade early.

However, due to current technological limitations—mainly the lack of smartphones—

ITK’s popularity was limited by the fact that users couldn’t post updates anytime, anywhere.

For now, ITK was only accessible on computers.

“Mm-hmm, I get it. I’ll call her right away. But... Master, with something this serious happening in Los Angeles, are you still going there? I’m scared. I don’t want you to be in danger!”

Milo rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration. As expected...

Every time a major shooting occurred, Americans’ sense of security took another hit, and calls for gun control intensified.

This time, the incident happened in Los Angeles—right when Milo was flying there.

And in just two days, he was scheduled to host Yahoo’s IPO roadshow in Los Angeles.

“Sweetheart, don’t worry. I’m surrounded by the world’s top security professionals. Trust them; they’ll ensure my safety—and yours too!”

“Okay...”

“Darling, I need to hang up now. Another call is coming in, and I’m about to get very busy...”

Seeing the caller ID on another ringing phone, Milo apologized to Britney.

“Alright, you go ahead. I’ll call my agent and ring you back later,” Britney said sadly.

“Take care of yourself.” Milo hung up and answered the other phone. “Edward, I’m on the plane. I’m watching it.”

“Fuck this shit. Of all times, why now?”

His cousin’s irritated voice came through.

Yahoo’s IPO roadshow had only one stop in California.

Since the headquarters was in San Francisco, there was no need for another event there.

Following Milo’s suggestion, Edward had allocated some of Yahoo’s stock to mid-level elites and politicians in Southern California.

This move aimed to address a long-standing issue: the severe fragmentation within the California establishment.

Historically, California’s elite class and its grassroots power brokers often pursued conflicting interests, unlike the unity seen in Texas or New England.

Although it was uncertain whether the strategy would succeed, Edward’s efforts had earned him the favor of California’s senior elite, who appreciated his pragmatic approach.

They believed he had the makings of a true dealmaker.

This incident had earned Edward a lot of points within the California consortium.

But now, with this situation unfolding, no wonder Edward was upset.

Hearing the slightly subdued tone in his cousin's voice over the phone, Milo let out a helpless chuckle:

"Yeah, it's a tragedy, but it has already happened. The key now is to handle the investigation and aftermath as quickly as possible."

"I’m actively keeping an eye on the investigation’s progress. Milo, before I called you, I just got off the phone with Pierre, the CEO of the Rifle Association."

Hearing this, Milo furrowed his brow slightly and feigned ignorance:

"That guy who says, 'The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun’?"

Whenever a serious shooting incident occurs, all eyes inevitably turn to the National Rifle Association (NRA).

The NRA is the largest pro-gun association in the U.S., with a membership of over 30 million.

Powerful and resourceful, they staunchly oppose gun control.

Edward chuckled, "Yes, that’s him. He wants me to connect him with you." Edward didn’t bother hiding the fact—he was just the middleman here.

Milo's lips curled slightly. "Most likely because of Paladin Media, right? After something like this, they’d want the media to side with them even more."

It’s undeniable that the NRA, which started as a group focused on shooting skills and gun safety, has grown into a formidable lobbying organization.

Apart from having skilled personnel who are deeply devoted to defending the 'Second Amendment,' their immense influence also comes from being backed by powerful arms manufacturers willing to spend big money. In America, their impact on gun legislation is massive.

"Exactly. It’s about public opinion! After this shooting, discussions about gun control will flare up again. Pierre hopes your media empire can at least remain neutral. They’re willing to pay for it—say, a year-long advertising contract across your TV stations, print media, and websites."

"Wow, that’s a bold offer." Milo's smile was ambiguous, making it unclear whether he was mocking or genuinely impressed.

"They have no choice but to go all in. The NRA is best known for its lobbying efforts. Besides, when it comes to gun control, Americans are so divided that every debate on the subject feels like a deadlock. Over the years, even after analyzing gun policies worldwide, my conclusion remains the same: guns are ingrained in American culture—it’s not something you can just take away."

Edward’s stance on gun control was clear.

After all, the California consortium was also tied to major arms manufacturers.

If guns were controlled or confiscated, the consortium would lose a significant portion of its profits.

This was precisely why the NRA sought out Edward, and through him, Milo.

Milo, being from Boston and a major player in the arms trade himself, was another key figure.

But when it came to gun control, Milo found himself conflicted.

Perhaps it was the part of him with a Chinese heritage that influenced his personal feelings—emotionally, he leaned toward stricter control.

Yet rationally, as someone who benefited from power and influence, his stance was more pragmatic.

After all, he operated a global security company.

If guns were heavily regulated, how could his private armed forces operate freely within the U.S.?

After pondering for a while, Milo concluded that on American soil—the so-called land of "freedom"—there would never be a definitive resolution to the gun control debate.

And maintaining neutrality was something he could accept.

If they had asked for outright support, Milo wouldn’t have even considered it.

Most of his business ventures, aside from his still-developing energy company, leaned toward left-leaning, Democratic-affiliated industries.

Public opinion mattered, and he didn’t want to be vilified or cursed at by victims' families as some kind of villain.

"Fine. I can agree to remain neutral—no advocacy or public opinion guidance toward gun control."

"Great. Let’s leave it at that for now. We’ll handle the rest when you get here. What a mess."

"Alright. See you in California."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 267: The Great Skills of the Japanese

When Milo stepped off the plane dressed in a light hoodie and casual trousers, he stretched his body fully under the dazzling Los Angeles afternoon sun.

By early December, New York was already bitterly cold—sometimes even blanketed in snow depending on the year.

In contrast, early December in Los Angeles still boasted daytime temperatures averaging over 68°F (20°C).

It was also the dry season, making most of the day comfortably pleasant.

This was why the homeless population preferred Los Angeles over New York, Chicago, or other eastern cities.

In those cities, being homeless without shelter during winter was almost a death sentence due to the freezing temperatures.

But in Los Angeles, where the weather was warm and mild for much of the year, the chance of freezing to death was significantly lower—unless one happened to encounter one of the rare cold spells.

Add to that the benefits of a city rich in high-tech industries and Hollywood glamour:

Los Angeles was home to more progressive liberals (both genuine and superficial) than anywhere else in the United States.

The strong economy supported extensive relief programs and free food distribution for the homeless—arguably the most generous in the country.

Being homeless here meant not having to worry much about freezing or starving to death.

If someone simply wanted to live a carefree, drifter's life, Los Angeles was practically a paradise.

However, American homelessness came with its own pitfalls.

Many homeless individuals eventually became entangled with dangerous substances.

Once hooked, it was a downward spiral, pulling them deeper into despair and often leading to untimely deaths.

Yet, this grim reality served as a form of population control for Los Angeles.

Every year, the availability of such substances culled a portion of the older homeless population, inadvertently contributing to the city’s stability.

---

When Milo arrived, it was 1:30 PM in Los Angeles. The time difference from New York was three hours, and the flight had taken about six hours.

Even while airborne, Milo had been busy.

He held a conference call with executives and editors from CNN and its affiliated newspapers, discussing how to maintain a neutral stance when reporting on a recent shooting.

Although Milo had promised, long before acquiring these media outlets, that he wouldn’t interfere with the accuracy or editorial freedom of their reporting—only a fool would take that at face value.

Take Rupert Murdoch, for example: when he acquired The Times in the UK, the government tried to restrict his power by imposing special conditions.

Yet, Murdoch managed to sidestep all those restrictions, dismissing idealistic editors who thought they were beyond his control, and turned The Times into his personal mouthpiece.

Similarly, when Milo issued instructions as the boss, the executives and editors in the call were quick to comply.

Fortunately, Milo had only demanded neutrality—not a direct stance against gun control.

Otherwise, these journalists—many of whom leaned left—might have been more resistant.

Journalists, after all, are naturally inclined to lean left, no matter which version of "left" one refers to.

Milo himself was acutely aware of the contradiction:

Oligarchic control of media inherently threatened the independence of journalism.

And now, as a media mogul himself, Milo couldn’t resist influencing the positions of his media empire.

Media conglomerates secured their dominance by forming monopolistic competition on a global scale, leveraging economies of scale and operational efficiency to deliver a variety of cultural and media products.

This strategy ensured and maintained their oligarchic status.

That was why Universal Studios, Marvel Studios, and Paladin Films were indispensable pillars of Milo's media empire.

The relationship between modern mass media and capital mirrored its relationship with power.

Since its inception, the media has been a focal point of contention for journalists, academics, social activists, and the general public.

The interplay between these forces was fraught with complexity and conflict.

Yet power and capital shared a common trait: a tendency toward self-expansion and self-reinforcement.

In the United States—a nation where money ruled supreme—these forces were nearly impossible to constrain.

As long as media moguls avoided stepping on major political landmines, few were willing to challenge them.

Freedom of the press? Editorial independence?

What a joke.

First and foremost, these industries had to cater to the demands of their owners—people like Milo.

Everything else came second.

Controlling a media empire wasn’t just about business; it was about securing a voice for himself, his family, and his legacy.

It involved promoting specific political agendas to audiences and distracting the public with shallow, trivial entertainment.

By doing so, critical thinking was suppressed, attention was diverted, and inconvenient truths were swept under the rug.

This was the true strength of media giants.

Though they didn’t always rake in the most money, their influence and ability to shape public opinion were unparalleled.

This dynamic had persisted for decades.

It wasn’t until the rise of short-form video platforms—about 20 years later—that the influence of traditional media giants on public opinion began to wane slightly.

Short-form videos, with their rapid and digestible content, captivated the younger generation and disrupted the long-standing dominance of traditional media.

This was why, in later years, every administration in the United States sought to control or suppress TikTok.

The platform wasn’t owned by American interests and had shattered many of the cognitive bubbles constructed by Western media.

For the powers that be, this was an unacceptable threat.

By then, however, the global landscape had shifted.

A new geopolitical rival had emerged, capable of challenging the U.S. both economically and militarily.

So, despite their best efforts, neither the White House nor the media moguls could entirely dismantle TikTok before Milo's rebirth.

The restoration of Western media hegemony remained unfinished business.

For ordinary people, this can only be considered a technological advancement, bringing some degree of equality in terms of freedom to access information.

Milo came to Los Angeles originally for Yahoo's IPO two days later.

However, given the recent events in Los Angeles, it was clear that the IPO roadshow schedule had to be revised.

What was initially planned as the first roadshow outside of San Francisco was now moved to become the second-to-last roadshow, just before New York.

In other words, Milo's trip to Los Angeles turned out to be a waste.

But since he was already there, it didn’t make sense to leave without doing anything.

That evening, Milo appeared in CNN’s broadcast studio.

He participated in an interview, condemning the suspects arrested in connection with the shooting. He also mourned the victims alongside the hosts.

He uttered plenty of well-rehearsed, empathetic statements, and everyone concluded the segment by reciting, "God bless America."

Since it was his own media outlet, none of the hosts foolishly asked him about his stance on gun control.

If they had, no matter how he answered, it would have been a minefield.

If he supported gun control, it would clash with his background as someone from the arms industry.

If he opposed gun control, it could harm the relatable "genius billionaire" persona he had carefully cultivated.

So he opted to use his own media platform to make a brief appearance and stick to neutral talking points.

He left the rest to the Democratic Party in the White House, the Republican Party in opposition, and their endless debates, performances, and theatrics.

The day after his arrival in Los Angeles, Milo departed for Seattle, the most prominent city in the Pacific Northwest and the capital of Washington State.

Seattle, established on December 2, 1869, was named after Chief Seattle.

Located on the Pacific coast in northwestern Washington State, it lies between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, with the Olympic Mountains to the west and Lake Washington to the east. The city is about 174 kilometers from the U.S.-Canada border.

In some ways, it could be considered Canada’s second capital.

This is because many Canadians live and work in Seattle.

After all, Canada is essentially America’s backyard, and Canadians are often seen as second-tier Americans.

Originally, Yahoo’s second domestic IPO roadshow was scheduled to take place in Seattle.

However, due to the shooting incident in Los Angeles, it had to be moved up as the first roadshow, resulting in a somewhat rushed preparation.

This meant that it wasn’t until Milo’s third day in Seattle that Yahoo’s IPO roadshow officially began.

The roadshow reception was held in the gold banquet hall of the InterContinental Hotel in Seattle.

Many tech media outlets, local investment firms, business leaders, and social elites from Seattle attended the event.

Among the notable attendees was the former world’s richest man, the legendary Bill Gates.

“I have a feeling,” Bill Gates said conversationally to Milo, taking a sip of champagne. “Mr. Blackburn, Yahoo’s market valuation might surpass Microsoft’s shortly after its IPO.”

In 1997, Microsoft was already a giant with a market cap of $250 billion.

For Bill Gates to suggest Yahoo could soon surpass Microsoft was high praise.

“That would be a good thing for Microsoft,” Milo replied with a smile. “It could give Microsoft a strong and steadfast ally in facing antitrust investigations.”

As 1997 drew to a close and 1998 approached, Microsoft’s dominance in the desktop operating system market had become unshakable.

Even though Milo had been disrupting things for over half a year, he hadn’t gone all out—after all, he was one of Microsoft’s shareholders.

Other operating systems could at most irritate Microsoft but not overthrow it.

This increasing dominance naturally led to mounting pressure from U.S. antitrust authorities.

So Milo’s point was that if Yahoo’s market cap could rival Microsoft’s after its IPO, Yahoo would likely face similar antitrust scrutiny.

At that point, the two companies could become allies.

“Of course,” Bill Gates said with a smile. “You’ve always been Microsoft’s top individual shareholder. From the start, Yahoo and Microsoft were allies.”

But what about your blatant copying of my ITK and various applications?

What’s that? I’m no saint either?

Then it’s all good.

The roadshow reception went smoothly.

A total of 25 investment institutions in Seattle committed to Yahoo’s IPO.

Thanks to Milo’s maneuvering, Yahoo was now the centerpiece of expectations.

It was positioned as the internet giant tasked with propelling the already-booming internet wave to its peak.

This was a mission that American financial circles—arguably everyone—was thrilled to support.

At least in America, no one would deny Yahoo its moment.

After completing the Seattle IPO roadshow, Yahoo’s leadership team split into three groups.

One group headed to Chicago for the second roadshow.

Another group went to Houston for their roadshow.

Milo, meanwhile, took Elon Musk with him to Tokyo, acting as a mascot of sorts.

In hindsight, it was his own fault for delaying Yahoo’s IPO, which should have happened last year, until now.

He had saddled Yahoo with such a significant role in internet history.

Now, to ensure everything went perfectly, Milo himself had to step into the spotlight.

If Yahoo’s market cap didn’t match Microsoft’s within six months of its IPO, Milo would feel like he’d wasted his effort.

December 10, 1997.

Tokyo, Haneda Airport.

Hugging his half-Japanese son, who had come to greet him at the airport, Milo wrapped his other arm around Sumitomo Junko and climbed into the back of a customized Cadillac SUV.

The Boeing 747-B had its perks; it was designed for both passenger and cargo use.

The cargo hold of the lower section is significantly larger than that of a standard 747 model.

This allows Milo to transport both his heavily modified Cadillac SUV, nicknamed "The Beast," and himself across the globe with ease.

However, every destination requires prior notification and approval from the relevant authorities.

It’s quite a hassle, but for someone like Milo, a globally renowned billionaire, it’s hardly an issue.

After all, he has people to handle everything for him.

In most of the places and countries he visits, such formalities are straightforward and rarely involve unnecessary complications.

As the convoy left Haneda Airport and drove onto the overpass leading toward the city center, light snowflakes began to drift down from Tokyo’s slightly gray sky.

"Look at that, it’s snowing in Tokyo," Milo remarked with a smile to Junko Sumitomo.

Junko’s face softened with a gentle expression, her smile modest and traditional—reflecting the demeanor of a woman interacting with a man of authority over her.

"Yes, it’s snowing. This is the first snow of the year. It seems Tokyo is welcoming your arrival, husband," she replied.

"Haha, it’s just a natural change in weather. I’m not influential enough to make nature roll out the red carpet," Milo laughed heartily.

Holding his one-year-old biracial son in his arms, he pointed to the increasingly heavy snowfall outside the window and said, "Snowing. Look, son, snow. Can you say it? Snowing."

After saying this, Milo turned to Junko and asked, "I’ve heard you’ve been speaking to Andy in English all the time. Are you trying to make English his first language?"

Andy was the English name of Milo’s biracial son.

As for his Japanese name, it followed the generational naming conventions of the Sumitomo family.

As long as Milo maintained his current status, his son would likely grow up to become an important figure within the Sumitomo financial conglomerate—perhaps even leading a major faction.

When it comes to mastering the art of serving powerful individuals, the Japanese have perfected it far more elegantly than their neighboring countries.

They manage to make their benefactors comfortable without letting their subordinates feel degraded.

You have to admit—it’s a skill in itself.

"That’s right. Andy’s father is American, so of course, his mother tongue should be English," Junko answered matter-of-factly, though her tone remained as gentle and demure as ever.

"Besides, if he learns Japanese first and then picks up English later, he’ll naturally develop an accent. Fixing that would be very difficult. So it’s better to teach him English first. He can learn Japanese later without any problem."

After all, no Japanese would dare—or even consider—discriminating against Andy for this reason.

"Alright," Milo chuckled. "You make a good point. Alright, Andy, say it with Daddy: Snowing. Look, it’s snowing outside."

But of course, a one-year-old baby couldn’t say such words.

He could barely manage "Mama" or "Dada," so he simply giggled at Milo, watching the snowflakes falling outside. In his father’s arms, he kicked his legs and stretched out his tiny hands toward the window.

It was a heartwarming scene in its own way.

(End of Chapter)